Article dispenser

ABSTRACT

A display and dispenser device for facilitating loading, display and dispensing of individual merchandise units. The dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber adapted for holding individual units therein. A wall is slidably attached to a track inside the chamber via a biasing mechanism which assures that each merchandise unit loaded therein is pushed to the front of the device for display and easy retrieval. At least two side gripper tabs and a top gripper tab are flexibly attached to the housing to partially and flexibly block the front entrance to the chamber, thus preventing accidental and unintentional removal of units from the device while facilitating dispensing of single units at a time. Stacking tabs and respective recesses are provided on the housing to facilitate stacking and/or connection of the dispenser devices with each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to dispensing devices and, moreparticularly, to a device for facilitating storage and dispensing ofindividual units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a wide variety of known display devices which are designed tocontain and display articles of merchandise and also include means fordispensing them. For example, there are display devices in which modularunits are loaded onto one side and move by gravity along an inclinedcourse to a forward or dispensing position at the opposite side of thedevice.

However, such devices have disadvantages, for example, if the angle ofincline is too steep, the modular units can tilt forward and rotate, sothat the bottom of the merchandise unit is no longer in contact with thefloor and the product is thus not displayed correctly at the dispensingend of the display device.

Many displays that use a straight gravity course have moderate inclines,however, with such displays there is often insufficient pressure actingon the last unit loaded in the display such that one or more of theunits fail to advance to the correct presentation position at thedispensing end of the display.

Display devices are also known which rely on various spring mechanismsto dispense individual packages. However, to prevent tension due to thespring mechanism from pushing the product units out of the deviceinvoluntarily, a front panel or plate is typically utilized at a frontportion of the device. This, however, limits the actual visibility anddisplay of the product itself, since the product is partially obstructedby the front panel. In addition, this requires that the product belifted in an upwards direction to effectuate removal of same from thedispenser. Furthermore, stackability of such devices is severelylimited, since each device requires unobstructed overhead access to itsfront end for permitting retrieval of packages loaded therein.

Accordingly, a need exists for a system for efficiently and effectivelydisplaying and dispensing individual articles in a convenient andreliable manner that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display and dispenser device forfacilitating loading, display and dispensing of individual merchandiseunits.

In its heretofore disclosed system and method, the present inventionovercomes the prior art limitations described above via its overallreliability and efficiency in displaying and dispensing individualarticles.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a dispenser comprising ahousing defining a chamber adapted to receive a plurality of individualunits. At least two side gripper tabs are provided flexibly attached tothe housing at a front end for gripping a displayed unit, said grippertabs having a first state and a second state, wherein in the firststate, the gripper tabs partially block a front entrance to the chamber.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a unit dispensercomprising a housing defining a chamber adapted to have a plurality ofunits loaded therein and at least two side tabs flexibly attached to thehousing at a front end, each of said side tabs having a first state anda second state. In the first state, the side tabs partially block afront entrance to the chamber. Each side tab includes a sloped edgeangled inwards towards the chamber to effectuate said partial blockingof the front entrance of the chamber.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a unit dispensercomprising a housing defining a chamber adapted to have a plurality ofunits loaded therein, at least two side arms protruding from the housingat opposing sides of the front entrance, and at least two flexattachments for flexibly attaching a side tab to each of the side arms.Each of said side tabs has a first state and a second state, wherein inthe first state, the side tabs partially block a front entrance to thechamber. Each side tab includes a sloped edge angled inwards towards thechamber to effectuate said partial blocking of the front entrance of thechamber. Said partial blocking of the front entrance of the chamberresults in a front face of a loaded unit being fully visible except fora portion of the unit gripped by each of the side tabs. A top grippertab is provided flexibly attached to a top of the front end of thehousing for gripping a top part of a loaded unit.

These, and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be described or become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments, which is to be readin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote similar elementsthroughout the views:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary front perspective view of an article dispenseraccording to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary enlarged perspective view of the area “A” of FIG.1 according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary enlarged perspective view of the area “A” of FIG.1 of the article dispenser having a modular unit inserted thereinaccording to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional perspective view along line B-Bof FIG. 2 according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary rear cross-sectional perspective view of a pairof side gripper tabs according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the dispenser loaded with a merchandise unitaccording to an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a plurality of dispensers in anexemplary stacked configuration according to an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective cut-away view taken along line C-C of FIG. 3according to an aspect of the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are for purposes ofillustrating the concepts of the invention and are not necessarily theonly possible configurations for illustrating the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the Figures, FIGS. 1-6 are exemplary views of anarticle dispenser 100 according to an aspect of the present invention.The dispenser 100 includes a housing 101 having a top 103, bottom 105,sides 110, a front 107 and a back 109 defining a chamber 111 in whiche.g., article(s) of merchandise/modular unit(s) 301 may be housed e.g.,in a linear fashion. The bottom 105 includes a track 113 e.g.,integrally formed thereon along which, e.g., each unit 301 may beslidably moved.

A wall 121 is provided slidably attached to the track 113 via a biasingmechanism 401 described further below with respect to FIG. 4. The wall121 may be comprised of any (preferably rigid) material, such asplastic, rubber, nylon, metal, etc. and may be a single molded componentor comprised of integrated components. The wall 121 is preferablyoriented substantially perpendicular to the track 113 and may beconfigured according to the shape/size of the merchandise unit to beloaded into the dispenser 100.

In one embodiment, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) the wall 121 may comprisean upper panel 123 on a first plane and a lower panel 125 on a secondplane. A connector panel 127 may be provided which connects a first end124 of the upper panels to a first end 126 of the lower panel 125. Inone embodiment, the connector panel 127 may be connected to each of theupper 123 and lower 125 panels at about a 90 degree angle to provide,e.g., a ‘lip’ for supporting a corresponding overhanging projection of amodular unit 301.

The wall 121 preferably includes a base panel 129 attached to a secondend 201 of the lower panel 125. The base panel 129 is oriented parallelto the track 113 and is slidably attached to same. Slidable movement ofthe base panel 129 along the track 113 may be facilitated by, e.g.,inclusion of various projections from base panel 129 and/or featuresincluded in the dispenser 100 to improve stability of the wall 121 whensliding along the track 113. For example, the base panel 129 may includetrack guides 207 for slidably gripping each side of the track 113 (asshown in FIG. 5). Alternatively or in addition, the dispenser 100 mayinclude internal shelf elements 203 disposed inside the chamber 111 oneither side of the track 113 along the length of the dispenser, and thebase panel 129 may include side projections 205 for slidably gripping anunderside of each shelf element 203. The track guides 207 preventsubstantial side-to-side movement of the wall 121, and the internalshelf elements together with the side projections 205 substantiallyprevent sideways and upwards movement of the wall 7. 121, thusstabilizing the wall 121 relative to the track 113 to faciliate slidablemovement thereon.

The base panel 129 may be of any length or width to accommodate thedispenser 100 and/or the dimensions of a modular unit 301. Preferably,the base panel 129 serves as a “stop” mechanism such that the wall 121is prevented from being pushed off the track 113 when, e.g., the biasingmechanism 401 is in its biased forward-most position with no units 301loaded. In this embodiment, the track 113 is preferably recessed suchthat a front portion 206 of the base panel 129 is caused to contact thefront end 107 when the wall is at its forward-most position (e.g., nounits 301 loaded). It is noted that a width 211 of the base panel may bepreferably sized based at least, in part, on the dimensions of themodular unit 301 which it is designed to dispense to avoid, e.g., undueforce on the unit 301 which might cause the unit 301 to beunintentionally dispensed.

It is to be noted that the base panel 129, the upper panel 123, thelower panel 125 and the connector panel 127 may be integrally formed.

The biasing mechanism 401 may include, e.g., various coil mechanismsthat induce a constant force on the wall 121 towards the front end 107.When the dispenser is not in use (e.g., when no articles 301 are loadedin the dispenser 100), the wall 121 is preferably held in a ‘contracted’position in which the wall 121 is pushed to the front end 107. Thebiasing mechanism 401 preferably comprises, e.g., a flexible retractablematerial which may be made of metal, rubber, plastic, nylon, etc. Forexample, the biasing mechanism may comprise a flattened ribbon offlexible metal rolled into a coil (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4), wherein afirst end of the ribbon is attached to the bottom 105, preferably to thetrack 113 at the front or dispensing end 107. A second end of the ribbonis attached to the wall 121. The ribbon may be provided, e.g., invarious lengths depending, e.g., on the length of the dispenser 100and/or how many modular units are desired to be stored therein. In itsretracted state, the biasing mechanism 401 is in a rolled-up or coiledposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4). In its most extended state, thebiasing mechanism 401 is in a substantially straightened position.

When there are no units loaded inside the dispenser 100 (e.g., as shownin FIG. 1) the wall 121 is positioned at the front end 107, held thereby the force of the biasing mechanism 401 in a coiled position. To loadthe dispenser 100, a unit 301 is preferably inserted at the front end107 in front of the wall 121. FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary view of adisplayed modular unit 301 loaded onto the dispenser 100. The modularunit 301 may comprise any type of product, preferably a packaged producthaving a configuration and dimensions that are sized to fit inside thechamber 111 and be readily loadable in/dispensable by the dispenser 100.When a modular unit 301 is inserted inside the dispenser 100, the wallis caused to be pushed (e.g., along track 113) towards the back end 109.The biasing mechanism 401 (e.g., ribbon) is extended (e.g., the ribbonis ‘unrolled’) as the wall 121 is pushed towards back 109. As moremodular units 301 are inserted into the dispenser 100, the wall 121 ispushed farther back and the biasing mechanism 401 is extendedaccordingly. However, the biasing mechanism 401 preferably maintains acontinuous force on the wall 121 at all times, pushing the wall 121towards front end 107. The continuous force induced by the biasingmechanism 401 on the wall 121 facilitates slidable movement of eachmodular unit 301 inserted in the dispenser 100 along track 113 towardsthe front 107 for display and easy retrieval.

It is noted that in one embodiment, each dispenser 100 facilitatesdisplay of one modular unit 301 at a time, regardless of the number ofmodular units loaded in the dispenser 100.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the dispenser 100preferably includes side gripper tabs 115 for providing unobstructeddisplay of a unit 301 loaded therein while facilitating removal of eachunit 301 when desired and preventing unintentional or accidentalremoval/dislodgement of modular unit(s) 301 from the dispenser 100. In apreferred embodiment, at least two side gripper tabs 115 are provided.Each gripper tab 115 preferably includes a portion which protrudestowards and partially blocks the front entrance to the chamber 111.Preferably, such protruding portion is tapered to facilitate smoothextraction of each unit 301.

For example, each gripper tab 115 may include a sloped (beveled, angled,curved and/or rounded) edge 501 preferably angled inwards towards thechamber 111 to effectuate the partial angulated blocking of the frontentrance to the chamber 111. Each gripper tab 115 is preferably shapedto grip the front edges of a displayed unit 301, thus holding the unitwithin the device 100 while providing maximum product visibility fordisplay purposes. It is noted that units 301 may be shaped to facilitatedispensing from the dispenser 100; e.g., the shape of a loaded unitpreferably includes rounded corners and edges for smooth dispensing.

In a preferred embodiment, the front entrance to the chamber 111 ispreferably only partially obstructed by a portion of the side grippertabs 115 (e.g., extending from side arms 213) and there is no otherobstruction of the front chamber entrance (e.g., from a front bottomedge 505) that would further obstruct the front view (301 a, 301 b) ofthe displayed unit. It is to be noted that such partial obstruction ofthe chamber 111 preferably ensures minimal interference with and/orminimal reduction in the visibility of the merchandise unit 301,especially its front face. That is, the partial blocking of the frontentrance of the chamber preferably results in a front face (e.g., 301 a,301 b) of a loaded unit 301 being fully visible except, e.g., for asmall portion of the unit which is gripped by each of the gripper tabs.

In one embodiment, as shown e.g., in FIG. 3, a dispenser 100 accordingto the present invention houses and displays a unit 301 whilesimultaneously affording full unobstructed view of its top face 301 aand a virtually unobstructed view of its bottom face 301 b.

Each edge 501 may include a cushioning material incorporated and/oradhered thereon, e.g., to provide an improved frictional grip and/orfacilitate smooth unit dispensal. Such cushioning material may becomprised of e.g., rubber, foam, plastic, cloth, etc.

The side gripper tabs 115 are preferably flexibly attached to thehousing 101 at either side of the front end 107 via flex attachments117. The flex attachments 117 may be mounted on the side arms 213 (atleast two of which are preferably provided), which, in one embodiment,each protrude from the housing such as to maximize the total surfacearea exposure of a unit loaded in a display position (e.g., the unit 301situated at the front of the chamber). Advantageously, this not onlymaximizes visibility of the unit 301 but facilitates grasping of theunit when it is desired to be extracted. The side arms 213 may beintegrally formed with the housing 101 or attached thereto.

The flex attachments 117 may comprise e.g., flexible material havingspring-like characteristics (e.g., exhibit a relaxed state and a primedstate), such as spring steel, metal, rubber, plastic, etc.

In a first or relaxed position/state, the flex attachments 117 positionthe gripper tabs 115 such that a portion of each gripper tab 115protrudes into and partially physically blocks the front entrance to thechamber 111 (e.g., from a left and right side), therefore causing amodular unit 301 to be contained therein, and avoidingaccidental/unintentional removal of the unit 301 from the device 100.Preferably, the force maintained by the biasing mechanism 401 on thewall 121 is sufficient to keep any loaded modular units 301 continuouslypushed towards the front end 107 for display and dispensing, but not sostrong as to cause the unit(s) 301 to be pushed through the gripper tabs115 without, e.g., user assistance.

The flex attachments 117 enable the side tabs 115 to be flexed in, e.g.,opposing directions 307 (a second flexed position or “primed” state) tofacilitate extraction of a unit 301. For example, if a unit is desiredto be removed, it may be grasped and pulled by a user in direction 303,which causes the side grip tabs 115 to be pushed (flexed) outwards (inopposing directions 307), thus temporarily ‘widening’ the entrance tothe chamber to provide complete access to the chamber and releasing theunit.

Immediately upon removal of the unit 301, the side gripper tabs 115 eachspring back to their respective original relaxed states, thus securingand preventing release of any additional loaded units unless, e.g., theremoval process is repeated for each individual unit. Accordingly, theside gripper tabs 115 permit extraction of a single unit at a time.

A top gripper tab 119 may be provided flexibly attached to the housing101 at a top portion 103 of the front end 107 to additionally secure thedisplayed unit 301 (e.g., the unit which is located at the front end 107and is ready for immediate dispensing) within the dispenser 100 andprevent, e.g., accidental dislodgement of the unit 301, e.g., due to thedispenser 100 being held or flipped upside-down or sideways. The topgripper tab 119 may comprise any rigid yet flexible material, e.g.,plastic, metal, rubber, etc., and preferably exerts downward pressureand/or frictional force on the displayed unit 301 and/or serves as aphysical barrier to secure and contain the displayed unit 301 within thedispenser 100.

In an alternate embodiment, a loaded unit 301 may be removed from thedevice 100 via lifting of the unit 301 at a substantially upwardsdirection (e.g., in direction 305) such that, e.g., the top gripper tab119 on the unit 301 is caused to be flexed upwards, thus releasing theunit 301. Immediately upon removal of the unit 301, the top gripper tab119 preferably springs back to its relaxed state/original position, thusfrictionally securing and/or holding the next displayed unit until,e.g., the removal process is repeated.

In any event, the dispensing of each unit 301 is partially assisted viathe force exerted by the biasing mechanism 401 on the wall 121, whichcontinuously pushes the wall 121 in direction 209. This continuous forceon the wall 121 also facilitates the automatic provision of anyadditional units loaded within the device to the front display positionas, e.g., each unit is removed.

The dispenser 100 may include a series of protrusions or stacking tabs220 attached at its top surface 103, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2, tofacilitate secure stacking and/or connection of the dispensers on top ofeach other. The bottom 105 of the dispenser 100 may include recesses ofsufficient dimensions and at appropriate locations thereon forinsertably receiving the stacking tabs 220 accordingly.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a plurality of dispensers in anexemplary stacked configuration according to an aspect of the presentinvention. Advantageously, a dispenser according to the presentinvention facilitates stacking of each dispenser 100 directly on top ofone another, as well as alongside each other, as shown, withouthindering or interfering with unit 301 loading, display, and dispensing.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective cut-away view 801 taken along line C-C ofFIG. 3, showing an exemplary depiction of the inward angulation of thesloped edges 501.

In one embodiment, a dispenser according to the present invention isparticularly adapted for holding and dispensing units which compriseindividually packaged food containers which, e.g., may be stacked inmultiple layers and secured together via additional cardboard and/orplastic packaging to form a single unit.

Although the embodiment which incorporates the teachings of the presentinvention has been shown and described in detail herein, those skilledin the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that stillincorporate these teachings. Having described preferred embodiments fora system and method for automated folding (which are intended to beillustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications andvariations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of theabove teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may bemade in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which arewithin the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appendedclaims. Having thus described the invention with the details andparticularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desiredprotected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. A dispenser comprising: a housing defining a chamber adapted toreceive a plurality of individual units; and at least two side grippertabs flexibly attached to the housing at a front end for gripping adisplayed unit, said gripper tabs having a first state and a secondstate, wherein in the first state, the gripper tabs partially block afront entrance to the chamber.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein inthe second state, the gripper tabs are flexed in opposing directions topermit extraction of a single unit.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, furthercomprising at least two flex attachments for flexibly attaching each ofsaid gripper tabs to opposing sides of the front entrance.
 4. Thedispenser of claim 3, wherein said flex attachments comprise springsteel.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising at least two sidearms protruding from the housing at opposing sides of the frontentrance.
 6. The dispenser of claim 5, further comprising at least twoflex attachments for flexibly attaching each of said gripper tabs toeach of the side arms.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising atop gripper tab flexibly attached to a top of the front end of thehousing for gripping a top part of an individual unit.
 8. The dispenserof claim 1, wherein said partial blocking of the front entrance of thechamber by the gripper tabs comprises protrusion of a portion of eachgripper tab into the chamber from a left and right side.
 9. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein said partial blocking of the frontentrance of the chamber results in a front face of a loaded unit beingfully visible except for a portion of the unit gripped by each of thegripper tabs.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein each gripper tabincludes a sloped edge angled inwards towards the chamber to effectuatesaid partial blocking of the front entrance of the chamber.
 11. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a track disposed at abottom of the chamber and a wall slidably mounted on the track via abiasing mechanism.
 12. A unit dispenser comprising: a housing defining achamber adapted to have a plurality of units loaded therein; and atleast two side tabs flexibly attached to the housing at a front end,each of said side tabs having a first state and a second state, whereinin the first state, the side tabs partially block a front entrance tothe chamber, each side tab including a sloped edge angled inwardstowards the chamber to effectuate said partial blocking of the frontentrance of the chamber.
 13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein in thesecond state, the side tabs are flexed in opposing directions to permitextraction of a single loaded unit.
 14. The dispenser of claim 12,further comprising at least two flex attachments for flexibly attachingeach of said side tabs to opposing sides of the front entrance.
 15. Thedispenser of claim 14, wherein said flex attachments comprise springsteel.
 16. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising at least twoside arms protruding from the housing at opposing sides of the frontentrance.
 17. The dispenser of claim 16, further comprising at least twoflex attachments for flexibly attaching each of said side tabs to eachof the side arms.
 18. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising atop gripper tab flexibly attached to a top of the front end of thehousing for gripping a top part of a loaded unit.
 19. The dispenser ofclaim 12, wherein said partial blocking of the front entrance of thechamber results in a front face of a loaded unit being fully visibleexcept for a portion of the unit gripped by each of the side tabs.
 20. Aunit dispenser comprising: a housing defining a chamber adapted to havea plurality of units loaded therein; at least two side arms protrudingfrom the housing at opposing sides of the front entrance; at least twoflex attachments for flexibly attaching a side tab to each of the sidearms, each of said side tabs having a first state and a second state,wherein in the first state, the side tabs partially block a frontentrance to the chamber, each side tab including a sloped edge angledinwards towards the chamber to effectuate said partial blocking of thefront entrance of the chamber, wherein said partial blocking of thefront entrance of the chamber results in a front face of a loadeddisplayed unit being fully visible except for a portion of the unitgripped by each of the side tabs; and a top gripper tab flexiblyattached to a top of the front end of the housing for gripping a toppart of a loaded unit.